The Blackstone's Guide Series is a well established series of practical guides to the latest new legislation. The Guides all contain a full copy of the Act together with commentary on the effects, extent and scope of the legislation. The Guides are concise, accessible and clearly laid out, essential tools for those practising in the area.

The Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) and (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003 came into force in December 2003 are an important landmark development in employment and discrimination law. This book is an important addition to the series and provides a full commentary on the new Regulations, with practical advice for all those preparing for and affected by the new regime.

The Regulations for the first time in Britain, make it unlawful for employers to discriminate on the grounds of religion or belief and sexual orientation. Harassing an employee or discriminating because he/she is Muslim, or gay, for example, will be unlawful. The Regulations greatly extend the reach of both employment and discrimination law and represent one of the most important developments of UK discrimination law in years. The Regulations, based on the EC Framework Directive, are also;important in the way they depart from pre-existing domestic discrimination law, for example in their treatment of harassment and positive action.

The Guide explains to whom the Regulations apply, their extent and scope, the types of discrimination prohibited, the measures employers and certain service providers ought to take, the rights victims of discrimination have, and the broader legal context in which the Regulations fit. It is an essential reference aid for all those practising in employment and discrimination law.